A Miracle of Saint Joseph of Cupertino (1603–1663)

Art Historical Context

In the serene glow of this 1750 oil on canvas by Italian artist Placido Costanzi we witness *A Miracle of Saint Joseph of Cupertino (1603–3)*, a captivating depiction from the European Paintings collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 20⅞ × 14⅞ inches, this intimate work captures a moment of divine ecstasy associated with the humble Franciscan friar, canonized in 1767 for his reputed levitations during prayer. Costanzi, active in Rome during the Rococo era, employs soft lighting and fluid brushwork to evoke spiritual wonder, blending late Baroque drama with elegant restraint. Saint Joseph of Cupertino, born in humble circumstances in Puglia, Italy, became a symbol of mystical fervor, with over 70 documented flights witnessed by contemporaries. This painting likely portrays onlookers—men, women, and children from the tags—gazing in awe at the saint's supernatural elevation, underscoring 18th-century Catholic devotion amid the Counter-Reformation's emphasis on miraculous faith. Donated to the Met in 2016 by Everett Fahy, it invites visitors to ponder the interplay of piety and artistry in an age when such visions reinforced spiritual life.